*Caption: Fashion photographer Simz Kevin Mkhwanazi

Written by: Xolani Shabalala

Meet Simz Kevin Mkhwanazi a young man born in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu Natal. After high school he moved to the city of Durban to make a meaningful life for himself.

Although he didn’t study photography, he pursued a career in this field. Today he is a sought after Durban photographer with a business growing every day. He said he loves fashion photography and because he has never seen himself as a creative, he usually copies from other photographers he looks up to, adding a personal twist to the work.

“I can’t say I have a specific style, I just go out there and photograph what I feel is beautiful,” he said.

Mkhwanazi is a big follower and documenter of street fashion. Last year he was hired by A Fashion Friend, an online magazine, to take pictures of street fashion lovers at the annual Durban Fashion Fair. Those pictures ended up making the SA Fashion Week booklet.

“What I love about street fashion is that there are no rules. So you never know what to expect. It’s exciting to see someone’s persona shine through their clothes,” said Mkhwanazi.

His work is different in a sense that he does what he finds interesting. He breaks the rules and as a result he finds a good shot. He’s a young man who let go of a Bcom Accounting degree when he decided follow his passion.

Mkhwanazi has big plans for his photography career. He highlighted that what he has done does not amount to what he’s yet to do.

“It’s a tough industry! It ain’t as glamorous as it appears. There’s a lot of hard work behind every finished product. If you don’t work hard, this industry will spit you out in a second. Another thing it’s usually a challenge to make a living off it, because many people are never willing to pay what you worth. It’s very important to stand your ground otherwise you will starve FAM.”